TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle approximately 200,000 cigarettes believed to have originated from a neighbouring country during an operation off Kampung Titingan, here on Wednesday.
MMEA Tawau Zone director Kepten Maritim Ariffin Ghazali said the cigarettes were discovered after a patrol boat spotted a suspicious speedboat travelling in darkness from the direction of the national maritime border.
The vessel was detected about 1.35 nautical miles southwest of Sungai Tawau during patrols under Ops Sejahtera, Ops Khas Cegah PATI and Ops Tiris.
He said the speedboat attempted to flee towards shallow waters when ordered to stop for inspection.
However, its engine broke down during the chase, forcing the skipper to jump into the sea and abandon the boat and its cargo.
Efforts to locate the suspect were hampered by darkness and shallow waters.
An inspection of the abandoned boat uncovered 20 large boxes containing approximately 200,000 cigarettes believed to have been smuggled into the country.
The cigarettes were valued at an estimated RM160,000, including taxes, while the total value of the seized boat, engine and cargo was estimated at RM190,000.
The seized items were taken to the MMEA Tawau jetty before being handed over to investigating officers for further action.
The case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967.
Ariffin said MMEA would continue strengthening efforts to combat cross-border crime, including the smuggling of untaxed goods, particularly within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
Members of the public with information on maritime crime in Tawau can contact the MMEA Tawau Zone Operations Centre at 089-752116 or call the emergency hotline at 999. – James Leong
MMEA Tawau personnel show the confiscated contraband cigarettes.
